West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP) won two national awards and was highly commended for a further two on Thursday, 17 November, by the Health Service Journal (HSJ).
The HSJ Awards provide an opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding efforts and achievements that colleagues and teams across the NHS, health and care deliver daily.
TV presenter David Walliams, along with hosts HSJ editor Alastair McLellan and Ellie Orton, Chief Executive, NHS Charities Together, announced the winners across 25 categories. There were a staggering 1,067 entries, with 219 projects and individuals making it to the final shortlist (from across 162 organisations). The Partnership and its organisations were proud to be among the high volume of exceptional quality applications that reflect the breadth of innovation and care within the UK.
Winning Integrated Care System for the second year running, the judges recognised WY HCP’s strength in collaborating and working together to deliver its ambitions, ensuring people are given the best start in life, can remain healthy and age well. Working arrangements are co-produced by partner organisations – the NHS, local authorities, hospices, voluntary community social enterprises and communities. The politically led Partnership Board is supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Local Resilience Forum as well as the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Rob Webster CBE, and CEO Lead for the Partnership said:’ I’m delighted the hard work, dedication, and commitment of over 100,000 colleagues, 400,000 unpaid carers and an estimated 150,000 volunteers has been recognised. They have worked together at every level to deliver the best care and support possible in the most challenging of circumstances. At the same time, they have brought innovation and change, with a focus on the most vulnerable in society. This award belongs to each one of them’.
Cllr Tim Swift MBE, and Chair of the WY HCP Board said: ‘This award is well-earned recognition for the way we work together to deliver care with and for local communities. The judges paid tribute to the whole of our workforce and the positive strides we are making, across our leadership and beyond. I’m particularly pleased to know that the judges recognised our ambition to reduce health inequalities, alongside our determination to tackle this head on. Receiving this award gives us all the boost we need at the present time’.
Cllr Cathy Elliott, Chair of NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said: ‘This is great news for staff and communities. It’s wonderful to receive nationally recognition for the hard work of all our colleagues and communities to improve the health and wellbeing of all living across West Yorkshire. Well done to all!’.
WY HCP also won HSJ Communications Initiative of the Year for its #RootOutRacism (Anti-Racism Movement) produced in partnership with the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit. Co-created by over 100 ethnic minority colleagues, it aims to proactively challenge racism across all aspects of society.
Alison Lowe OBE, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire said: ‘I’m delighted for all involved that the #RootOutRacism movement has been nationally recognised as an award winner. The movement will continue to be part of our ongoing commitment to tackle structural and institutionalised racism, as well as addressing health and social inequalities across the area. Working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit, and so many others, highlights the importance we collectively give to addressing the impact of racism on far too many people’s lives.
Cllr Shabir Pandor Leader of Kirklees Council and Movement Ambassador said:’ Rooting out racism is incredibly important to WY HCP. We really are stronger together and only by working side by side with colleagues and communities locally and across West Yorkshire can we proactively change society for the better for everyone. The bravery and courage of all involved in achieving this award to commendable and I’m very proud of them all’.
West Yorkshire Vascular Service was highly commended for the HSJ Provider Collaboration of the Year. The West Yorkshire Vascular Service is a single, regional vascular service, ensuring that people have equity of access to the same high-quality treatment, regardless of where they live within West Yorkshire.
The Children and Young Peoples’ Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) inpatient unit for West Yorkshire based at Red Kite View in Armley, Leeds, was also highly commended in the Mental Health Innovation of the Year category. Kite View offers 22 inpatient beds across two main wards, a general adolescent unit and a psychiatric intensive care unit, including a dedicated education department. Its aim is to keep children and young people as close to home as possible for specialist care.
Other organisations which make up WY HCP, including Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, were finalists in the Innovative Project ‘Technology and Relationships Improving Flow’ – Act as One (bdcpartnership.co.uk).
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were finalists for the Freedom to Speak Up during the COVID pandemic. This involved supporting staff both physically and psychologically in terms of their safety and health and well-being.
Well done also to finalists Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust for the Staff Wellbeing Award, for showing a positive response to new ways of working since the pressures of the pandemic. The Trust has developed and delivered a highly effective platform for engagement and supporting staff health and wellbeing.
All in all, it was a good evening of recognition for all working in West Yorkshire health and care services. None of which would have been possible without the incredible work of all staff.
You can read more about the awards on the HSJ website.